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New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin’s Monday announcement charging New Jersey powerbroker George Norcross III and several allies with racketeering equates to a political, news earthquake.

Revealed June 17, the sweeping 13-count indictment pertains to the Camden Waterfront. It follows a years-long investigation into what Platkin described as a criminal enterprise run by Norcross and his associates in South Jersey and elsewhere.

The indictment also charges:

• Philip Norcross – brother of George; attorney, managing shareholder and CEO of Parker McCay; member, Cooper University Health Care board
• William Tambussi – attorney and partner at Brown and Connery law firm; longtime personal attorney of George Norcross
• Dana Redd – former Camden mayor; current CEO of Camden Community Partnership
• Sidney Brown – CEO of trucking and logistics company NFI
• John O’Donnell – CEO of real estate company The Michaels Organization

In the indictment, Platkin alleges that from as early as 2012 through the present, “The Norcross Enterprise”:

• Committed unlawful acts and used power and influence to obtain property and property rights on the Camden Waterfront;
• Collected millions of dollars in government-issued tax credits;
• Controlled and influenced government officials to further the interests of “the enterprise”;
• Crafted legislation tailored to serve the interests of “the enterprise.”

“And with the cooperation of then-Camden Mayor Dana Redd and other officials, used parts of the city’s government to aid the enterprise in acquiring property and property rights for itself and others through coercion, extortion, and other criminal acts,” the Attorney General’s Office said, noting that all six defendants are charged with first-degree racketeering.

The defendants are also charged with various counts of financial facilitation, misconduct by a corporate official. Additional changes include official misconduct and conspiring to commit theft by extortion, criminal coercion, financial facilitation, misconduct by a corporate official, and official misconduct.

“The indictment unsealed today alleges that George Norcross has been running a criminal enterprise in this state for at least the last 12 years,” said Platkin during a press conference in Trenton that included the appearance of Norcross himself, who was seated in the first row, just feet from the podium during the announcement. “On full display in this indictment is how a group of unelected, private businessmen used their power and influence to get government to aid their criminal enterprise and further its interests. The alleged conduct of the Norcross Enterprise has caused great harm to individuals, businesses, non-profits, the people of the State of New Jersey, and especially the City of Camden and its residents.”

Platkin said that stops today.

“We must never accept politics and government – that is funded with tax dollars – to be weaponized against the people it serves,” said Platkin. “Today we reaffirm that no one in our state is above the law – period.”

“Today’s indictment marks the culmination of a years-long, collaborative investigation, and I am grateful to the team handling this case for their dedication to seeking justice,” said Drew Skinner, executive director of the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability. That office will oversee prosecution of the case.

More to come

Following the press conference, Norcross spoke to reporters. He accused the Murphy administration of having a political vendetta and reportedly taunted Platkin – calling him a coward. Michael Critchley represents Norcross.

Additionally, Henry Klingeman, Redd’s attorney, told NJBIZ, “Dana Redd was surprised by today’s legal action. She’s done nothing wrong. What she has done is serve the Camden community in public and not-for-profit roles for more than three decades. She has cooperated fully with the grand jury investigation for over a year and is unaware of evidence of wrongdoing by her or others. She looks forward to fighting these false allegations in the courtroom before a judge and jury, so she can reclaim her good name that has now been tarnished by the Attorney General’s unjust and unjustified action.”

Attorneys for Philip Norcross and Tambussi did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Defense counsel for Brown and O’Donnell was unknown at press time.

Arraignment is scheduled for July 9 at 10 a.m. before Superior Court Judge Peter Warshaw Jr. in Mercer County.

This story is developing as reaction and more details pour in from around the Garden State. Stay with NJBIZ for the very latest.